NICHOLAS NICKLEBY (Theatrical Release USA 2002)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì

Nicholas Nickleby, a story revisited by both British and American studios since 1903, need not bow its head in shame to any of its multiple predecessors. The film relies on the excellence of Christopher Plummer, Jim Broadbent, Nathan Lane, Jamie Bell, Anne Hathaway, Timothy Spall, and Alan Cummings to portray its story. Kudos to Director Douglas McGrath for another outstandingly directed film. Everything works in this Charles Dickens’ classic.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Good faith and justice win over evil scheming and greed as youthful Nicholas Nickleby (Charlie Hunnam) finds his way in the world.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Douglas McGrath for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Gail Egan, Michael Hogan, and Robert Kessel for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Mrs. Nickleby (Stella Gonet), Mr. Nickleby (Andrew Havill), Child Nicholas Nickleby (Henry McGrath), Boy Nicholas Nickleby (Hugh Mitchell), Child Kate Nickleby (Poppy Rogers), Young Kate Nickleby (Jessie Lou Roberts), Kate Nickleby (Romola Garai), Newman Noggs (Tom Courtenay), Ralph Nickleby (Christopher Plummer), Madeline Bray (Anne Hathaway), Mr. Wackford Squeers (Jim Broadbent), Mr. Wackford Squeers (Jim Broadbent), Parent (Angela Curran), Smike (Jamie Bell), and Mrs. Squeers (Juliet Stevenson).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The storyline does not lose on the kindness level and runs on a perfectly executed script. Bravo to all involved in the film’s release.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE GENTLEMEN (Released to Theaters USA 2020)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì  The Gentlemen—odd, complicated story—is a movie that even with a plotline read is difficult to follow. It drags its audience through a crime-driven, murder-solution, unwholesome and low thinking, drug-oriented life-style. It may work in films where one can learn what not to be. But in this film, one comes away thinking 'why do we care?' The movie begs the question, 'Why was this film financed and given the green light?' Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline   A USA man wants to unload his marijuana business, located in England, which activates a chain of unwanted con men who want a 'piece of dirty pie'.     Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Guy Ritchie for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Guy Ritchie, Ivan Atkinson, and Bill Block for making the film possible. Cast includes Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Henry Golding, Michelle Dockery, Jeremy Strong, Eddie Marsan, Colin Farrell, and Hugh Grant. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It is what it is. It works outside the general mafia-styled movie and does not entertain. It plays too deeply into the gross realities of its world and drags it audience through the mud with it. Its complicated plotline does not allow its audience to comfortably and easily understand its storyline but superficially talks about the worst parts of this world with exceptionally graphic violence. It allows no room for audience comfort. A misnomer to title this movie "The Gentle-Men." Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

 

PACIFIC RIM (Theatrical Release USA 2013)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

Pacific Rim—better than most monster films—has some difficulty making sense at certain junctures of its story, but displays well on screen. Everything moves quickly in the movie. It’s good to see Charlie Hunnam, Edris Elba and Ron Perlman, and Rinko Kikuchi cast together in this movie. The movie works for the monster-movie fan. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

America is attacked by huge monsters from under the ocean. America responds by building machines called Jaegers to defend the coastline. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Guillermo del Toro for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Guillermo del Toro, Thomas Tull, Jon Jashni, and Mary Parent for making the film possible. Cast includes: Charlie Hunnam, Diego Klattenhoff, Idris Elba, Rinko Kikuchi, Charlie Day, Burn Gorman, Max Martini, Robert Kazinsky, Clifton Collins Jr. and Ron Perlman. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The film is one of the better monster movies on the market. Even though the special effects may not always be well defined, the basic story contains all the expected elements in a monster movie and becomes a good watch for that audience. The movie has a sequel:  Pacific Rim: Uprising. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

THE LOST CITY OF Z (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

The Lost City of Z—based on the true story of jungle explorer Percy Fawcett—becomes worth watching for its interesting dip into little known history of this archaeologist and jungle explorer. There are some good scenes portraying action during World War I, Robert Pattinson looks good made up with a beard; but the film seems disconnected between its story and its actors.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Percy Fawcett (Charlie Hunnam) searches for the lost city of Z in the jungles of Brazil.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director James Gray for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Felipe Aljure, Marc Butan, Lew Horwitz, Mark Huffam, Michael Ilitch Jr., Julie B. May, Glenn Murray, and Brad Pitt for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Henry Costin (Robert Pattinson), Nina Fawcett (Sienna Miller), Jack Fawcett (Tom Holland), Arthur Manley (Edward Ashley), James Murray (Angus Macfadyen), Sir George Goldie (Ian McDiarmid), and Sir John Scott Keltie (Clive Francis).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Overall, the film lacks realism, but serves to establish the persona and basic skills of explorers.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers